Abstract: This purpose of this study was to explore the effect of polysaccharides extracted from the residue left after the extraction of anthocyanins from Crataegus songorica K. Koch. fruits on D-galactose-induced aging mice. The polysaccharides were prepared by water extraction and alcohol precipitation and were orally administered to D-galactoseinduced aging mice at three different doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg). Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, total antioxidative capability (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in brain, liver and serum were measured. Histological extraction of liver and brain tissues was carried out as well. The results showed that high-dose polysaccharide could significantly improve the activity of GSH-Px in liver and serum (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), increase T-AOC in brain and liver (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), decrease the content of MDA in liver, brain and serum (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) when compared with the model group. The structure of liver lobule was intact in mice from the medium- and high-dose polysaccharide group, with no apparent fat vacuoles being observed in hepatocytes. The structure of hippocampal nerve cells, arranged orderly, was clear. In conclusion, the polysaccharides from Crataegus songorica K. Koch. fruits can protect against D-galactose-induced aging in mice, which provides a clue for the efficient utilization of Crataegus songorica K. Koch..

Key words: Crataegus songorica K. Koch., polysaccharides, D-galactose, aging